2010 Supreme(Gau) 951
GAUHATI HIGH COURT
Mrs. Anima Hazarika, J.
Mrs. Purabha Kahali & others - Appellants
Versus
Ms. Royal Construction & others - Respondents
C.R.P. 166 of 2010
Decided On : 19-05-2010
For the Appellant : M. Dutta, S. Dey.
Headnote:
Civil Procedure Code, 1908 – Order 1, Rule 10, Section 151 – Limitation Act, 1963 – Section 21 – Title of Suit Land – Challenge in this revision petition is made against the order passed in Misc. (J) case arising out of Title suit in an application under Order 1, Rule 10 read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code seeking striking out the name of the defendant No. 5 from the array of the defendants in the cause title of the suit and impleadment of her legal heirs in her place substituting the names of defendant Nos. 5, 6 and 7 in the suit whereby and whereunder trial court allowed petitioner to strike out the name of the defendant No. 5 from the suit but did not pass any order in regard to impleadment of her legal heirs in her place – Held, Petitioner as plaintiff brought the suit against a dead person and on knowing the fact he filed an application under Order 1, Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code which can be termed that in the circumstances lie has acted with due care and attention and hence the court is of the view that the suit against Sri Jhulan Ch. Choudhury, Chan Ch. Choudhury and Tagar Choudhury should be deemed to have been filed on the date of the institution of the suit i.e. it self, which on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, this court consider should be treated as the earlier date referred to in Section 21(1) of the Act. – Said legal heirs of the defendant No.5 are necessary party and they should be impleaded under sub-Rule (2) of Rule 10 Order 1 of the Civil Procedure Code to enable the court effectively and completely to adjudicate upon and settle all the issues involved in the suit. – Application filed by the petitioner plaintiff being Misc. (J) Case is allowed directing trial court, to implead the legal heirs of defendant No.5 as party defendants in the suit with a direction to the learned trial court to dispose of the suit in accordance with law. – Petition Allowed
Mrs. Anima Hazarika, J.
Challenge in this revision petition is made against the order dated 11.12.09 passed in Misc. (J) case No. 287/08 arising out of Title suit No. 139 of 2008 in an application under Order 1, Rule 10 read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code (herein after referred to as Civil Procedure Code) seeking striking out the name of the defendant No. 5 from the array of the defendants in the cause title of the suit and impleadment of her legal heirs in her place substituting the names of defendant Nos. 5, 6 and 7 in the suit whereby and whereunder the learned trial court allowed the petitioner to strike out the name of the defendant No. 5 from the suit but did not pass any order in regard to impleadment of her legal heirs in her place.
2. Heard Mr. M. Dutta, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Considering the grievance made, this court seems it fit to dispose it of at the motion stage itself without issuing notice to the opposite parties since the matter relates to adding of parties as defendants in the suit.
3. The brief facts in a nutshell is depicted hereinbelow as follows :
The petitioner herein as plaintiff brought a suit against the defendants numbering 5 (five) in total seeking a decree directing the defendants to complete the construction of the flat described in Schedule B of the plaint. But the defendant No. 5 died on 22.05.05 and the suit is filed against a dead person, but the petitioner had no knowledge about the same and hence the application has been filed under Order 1, Rule 10 read with section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code as indicated above. The suit is now pending in the court of learned Civil Judge No. 2, Kamrup. Guwahati.
4. Admittedly. the suit has been filed against a dead person and in the application under Order 1, Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code filed before the learned trial court which is numbered as Misc. (J) case No. 287/08 arising out of title suit No. 139/08 the following relevant averments were made which are quoted hereunder :-
"2. That the defendant Nos. 4 and 5 were the landowners where the flat was to be constructed by the defendant No. 1 firm.
3. That pursuant to the filing of the suit when steps were sought to be taken the plain- tiff could learn for the first time that the defendant No. 5 had expired.
4. That the plaintiff has in the meanwhile learnt that the defendant No. 5 had expired on 22.5.2005 much before the suit was filed. The said defendant had left behind her sons, namely Sri Jhulan Ch. Choudhury, Chan Ch. Choudhury and Tagar Choudhury as her legal heirs, on whom the landed property belonging to the defendant No. 5 had devolved by right of inheritance and who are looking the affairs, of her landed properties.
5. That the petitioner has also learnt there is some dispute amongst the sons of defendant No. 5 and the defendant No. 4.
6. That since the defendant No. 5 had expired before filing of the suit, the said defendant number 5 was wrongly impleaded in the suit. As such her name may be struck of the plaint.
7. That the sons of the defendant No. 5 who are the legal heirs of late Sushama Bose by right of inheritance have inherited her landed properties and are actually looking after the property. Therefore, the opposite Party Nos. 5, 6 and 7 are necessary parties to the suit. Therefore they may be allowed to be impleaded as defendant Nos. 5, 6 and 7.
8. That the plaintiff did not know the fact that the defendant No. 5 had expired and was under the impression that she was alive when the suit was filed.
9. That unless Sri Jhulan Ch. Choudhury, Chan Ch. Choudhury and Tagar Choudhury are impleaded as defendants the petitioner/plaintiff would suffer irreparable loss and injury. The said persons are necessary parties to the suit and their presence is vital to the adjudication of the issues in the suit.
10. That there is no negligence or laches on part of the plaintiff and the plaintiff in spite of the best efforts and due diligence could not ascertain about